The latest waiver wire rankings for Week 19 of the 2026 fantasy baseball season highlight a handful of starting pitchers who are still flying under the radar in most Yahoo leagues.
Underrated Arms Gaining Momentum
Shane Drohan of the Milwaukee Brewers has emerged as a reliable option, posting six wins, a 3.48 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and a 24.5% strikeout rate, making him an attractive pickup for teams needing depth.
Merrill Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks is another standout, having won three of his last five starts in July while posting a 1.95 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, numbers that suggest he can handle a full‑season workload.
Zac Thornton of the New York Mets showed durability in his most recent outing, pitching into the seventh inning and limiting the opposition to three runs while striking out five, a performance that could translate into a solid second‑half boost.
Andre Pallante of the St. Louis Cardinals brings an 11‑win record, a 3.72 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, complemented by a 55.9% ground‑ball rate that helps keep hitters off balance.
Brady Singer of the Cincinnati Reds has been equally impressive, maintaining a 2.60 ERA and fanning 49 batters over 49 innings in recent months, a combination that makes him a compelling add for any roster.
Mitch Keller of the Pittsburgh Pirates has also been on a roll, allowing three earned runs or fewer in three straight starts and trimming his ERA by half a run, indicating a steady upward trajectory.
Noah Cameron of the Kansas City Royals turned heads by holding Minnesota to a single hit over eight innings before a bullpen loss, showcasing elite command that could translate into a breakout performance.
Dustin May of the St. Louis Cardinals has been effective in his last two starts, covering 11 innings, striking out 11 and allowing just one run, a showing that underscores his reliability.
Brandon Pfaadt of the Arizona Diamondbacks has refined his approach against left‑handed hitters, leaning on a sharp curveball and changeup mix that has improved his recent results.
AJ Smith‑Shawver of the Atlanta Braves returned to the rotation after a brief minor‑league stint, bringing a fastball that consistently hits 97 MPH and a repertoire that has excited fantasy owners.
Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers has posted a 1.42 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP in two post‑All‑Star break starts, a hot streak that could make him a valuable add before the trade deadline.
Deeper league options such as Quinn Mathews, Walker Buehler, Zebby Matthews, Connor Prielipp, Ronel Blanco, Tyler Mahle and Tyler Phillips remain available in under‑40% rosters, offering a range of upside for those willing to dig a little further.
The common thread among these pitchers is a blend of recent success, favorable matchups and the potential for increased role as the trade deadline looms, making them prime targets for savvy fantasy managers looking to gain a competitive edge.